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Economy of Malta vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Malta has a GDP of $25B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 119/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Malta has $11.5B in government debt (46.2% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Malta vs Mauritania GDP by year

Malta
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Malta Mauritania
2024 $24,971,574,502 $10,908,045,687
2023 $22,610,561,526 $10,726,838,461
2022 $18,928,276,162 $9,557,966,698
2021 $19,739,875,611 $9,222,536,364
2020 $16,404,663,226 $8,260,752,385
2019 $16,337,793,531 $7,894,764,886
2018 $16,153,779,511 $7,473,550,557
2017 $14,161,366,724 $6,800,135,898
2016 $12,025,782,834 $6,398,747,592
2015 $11,340,795,042 $6,166,863,897
2014 $11,888,032,874 $6,592,537,782
2013 $10,796,782,636 $7,223,071,097
2012 $9,609,532,089 $6,728,208,836
2011 $9,789,361,703 $6,764,627,746
2010 $9,097,044,159 $5,628,878,798
2009 $8,734,745,698 $4,714,595,548
2008 $9,135,419,465 $5,206,437,194
2007 $7,908,412,306 $4,346,212,355
2006 $6,749,838,806 $3,919,577,286
2005 $6,393,234,993 $2,936,019,526
2004 $6,104,141,520 $2,362,501,023
2003 $5,418,315,224 $2,051,147,607
2002 $4,455,127,414 $1,777,057,481
2001 $4,070,867,133 $1,746,063,558
2000 $4,036,809,815 $1,779,520,886
1999 $4,111,857,809 $1,985,922,776
1998 $4,010,111,688 $2,032,347,665
1997 $3,787,023,707 $2,071,996,564
1996 $3,822,547,197 $2,132,087,009
1995 $3,709,396,045 $2,091,726,101
1994 $2,998,505,428 $1,944,876,755
1993 $2,709,193,538 $1,847,353,211
1992 $3,021,942,759 $2,164,298,425
1991 $2,750,216,747 $2,133,692,697
1990 $2,547,328,748 $1,506,914,408
1989 $2,118,655,677 $1,450,647,019
1988 $2,019,503,068 $1,414,951,290
1987 $1,751,293,461 $1,344,664,725
1986 $1,435,038,441 $1,186,628,778
1985 $1,117,797,439 $1,009,723,326
1984 $1,101,807,023 $1,074,373,230
1983 $1,165,729,707 $1,165,171,263
1982 $1,234,474,404 $1,108,776,653
1981 $1,243,509,394 $1,105,494,682
1980 $1,250,198,601 $1,047,925,106
1979 $1,001,288,847 $951,900,945
1978 $793,673,402 $804,629,877
1977 $625,563,171 $799,030,017
1976 $527,936,989 $775,045,517
1975 $474,618,321 $703,377,837
1974 $376,081,124 $613,010,553
1973 $345,616,106 $493,237,876
1972 $295,106,628 $391,669,449
1971 $264,578,485 $335,568,907
1970 $250,728,796 $309,405,316
1969 - $295,062,308
1968 - $311,395,937
1967 - $282,615,310
1966 - $266,533,605
1965 - $255,340,475
1964 - $224,495,744
1963 - $168,186,297
1962 - $164,271,558
1961 - $159,213,430

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/mauritania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Malta vs Mauritania by year

Malta
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Malta Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $43,899 $69,864 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $40,906 $67,057 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $35,639 $60,589 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $38,097 $56,852 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $31,823 $49,972 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $32,422 $51,393 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $33,382 $48,178 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $30,317 $45,764 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $26,459 $41,000 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $25,530 $38,369 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $27,425 $35,206 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $25,416 $33,138 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $22,878 $30,716 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $23,517 $29,426 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $21,947 $28,909 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $21,176 $26,782 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $22,315 $26,654 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $19,444 $25,012 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $16,654 $23,219 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $15,831 $22,227 $999 $2,809
2004 $15,212 $21,566 $824 $2,570
2003 $13,594 $20,813 $732 $2,447
2002 $11,251 $19,532 $649 $2,296
2001 $10,358 $18,435 $652 $2,280
2000 $10,348 $18,214 $681 $2,304
1999 $10,609 $16,898 $781 $2,411
1998 $10,408 $16,219 $821 $2,355
1997 $9,893 $15,465 $859 $2,325
1996 $10,062 $14,661 $904 $2,436
1995 $9,828 $13,950 $905 $2,306
1994 $8,000 $12,938 $865 $2,114
1993 $7,296 $12,103 $850 $2,209
1992 $8,220 $11,429 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $7,559 $10,784 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $7,192 $10,086 $772 $2,070
1989 $6,041 - $762 -
1988 $5,814 - $762 -
1987 $5,084 - $746 -
1986 $4,195 - $677 -
1985 $3,322 - $593 -
1984 $3,333 - $650 -
1983 $3,527 - $725 -
1982 $3,788 - $710 -
1981 $3,898 - $729 -
1980 $3,948 - $711 -
1979 $3,196 - $664 -
1978 $2,559 - $578 -
1977 $2,038 - $590 -
1976 $1,727 - $589 -
1975 $1,560 - $551 -
1974 $1,245 - $494 -
1973 $1,144 - $410 -
1972 $976 - $335 -
1971 $874 - $296 -
1970 $828 - $281.3 -
1969 - - $276.6 -
1968 - - $301 -
1967 - - $281.5 -
1966 - - $273.6 -
1965 - - $270 -
1964 - - $244.3 -
1963 - - $188.2 -
1962 - - $189 -
1961 - - $188.2 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/mauritania | CC BY

Malta's GDP per capita is $43,899, ranking 28/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Malta ranks 25th at $69,864, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Malta Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
119/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
6.8%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$43,899
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
28/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$69,864
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
25/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.2%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$20,269
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
31/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,692
2026
$2,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$4.29B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2022
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2022
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
37.3%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.65%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.12%
2024
10.4%
2019
Population
581729
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Malta
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Malta Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 37.3% 46.2% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 36.1% 46.8% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 38.3% 50.1% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 39.4% 49.6% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 42.1% 48.6% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 34.9% 39.2% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 34.5% 41.4% 19% 59.2%
2017 32.7% 45.6% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 35.5% 53.1% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 37.8% 55% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 39.6% 60.7% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 40.1% 64.9% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 41.7% 65.6% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 41.5% 68.9% 17% 38.8%
2010 40.1% 65% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 41.1% 66% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 42.1% 61.5% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 41.2% 62% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 42.5% 64.5% 19% 38%
2005 42.5% 70.2% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 42% 70.4% 23.9% 22%
2003 45.6% 68.6% - 22.9%
2002 43.6% 65.1% - 59.5%
2001 44.4% 70% - 63.5%
2000 42.9% 64.4% - 55.5%
1999 - 69.8% - -
1998 - 66.4% - -
1997 - 60.8% - -
1996 - 51.5% - -
1995 - 45.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government spending was $9.32B, accounting for 37.3% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.2% in Malta and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 118/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Malta

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Malta Mauritania
2024 -3.58% -1.35%
2023 -4.65% -2.45%
2022 -5.31% -3.09%
2021 -6.95% 2.6%
2020 -8.72% 2.78%
2019 0.72% 2.65%
2018 1.86% 3.23%
2017 3.4% 0.53%
2016 1.1% 0.13%
2015 -0.84% -2.44%
2014 -1.49% -2.64%
2013 -2.19% -0.66%
2012 -3.31% 1.67%
2011 -2.99% 0.07%
2010 -2.22% -0.45%
2009 -3.11% -3.59%
2008 -4.06% -3.32%
2007 -2.05% -1.38%
2006 -2.46% 2.05%
2005 -2.83% -3.16%
2004 -4.28% -3.06%
2003 -9.04% -
2002 -5.62% -
2001 -6.5% -
2000 -5.83% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Malta's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $893M, equivalent to 3.58% of GDP. This compares to Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Malta recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Malta posted an annual deficit equal to 2.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Malta

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Malta Mauritania
2024 1.65% 2.49%
2023 5.09% 4.95%
2022 6.15% 9.53%
2021 1.5% 3.57%
2020 0.64% 2.39%
2019 1.64% 2.3%
2018 1.16% 3.07%
2017 1.36% 2.25%
2016 0.64% 1.47%
2015 1.1% 3.25%
2014 0.31% 3.53%
2013 1.18% 4.13%
2012 2.38% 4.9%
2011 2.96% 5.69%
2010 1.52% 6.28%
2009 2.08% 2.22%
2008 4.26% 7.35%
2007 1.25% 7.25%
2006 2.77% 6.24%
2005 3.01% 12.1%
2004 2.79% 10.4%
2003 1.3% 5.15%
2002 2.19% 3.9%
2001 2.93% 4.71%
2000 2.37% 3.25%
1999 2.13% 4.07%
1998 2.39% 8.03%
1997 3.11% 4.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/mauritania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Malta has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.21%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 1.65% in Malta and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Malta
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $151K
Textiles & consumer goods $78K
Weapons & explosives $5K
Metals $1K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $460K
Animal & marine products $247K

Balance of trade

Malta Mauritania
Current account balance
$1.78B
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+7.12%
2024
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$7.56B
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$4.58B
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$17.4B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$25B
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
99.7%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
118.5%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Malta Mauritania
Economic freedom 68.2 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 49/197 136/197
Property rights 85.5 32.6
Government integrity 54.3 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 80.2 26.4
Tax burden 68.5 75.5
Government spending 58.4 80.2
Fiscal health 63.2 87.9
Business freedom 83.2 38.7
Labor freedom 62.6 53.6
Monetary freedom 73.1 77.8
Trade freedom 79.4 59.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Malta
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Malta Mauritania
2026 68.2 53.9
2025 66.8 54.9
2024 64.5 55.3
2023 67.5 55.3
2022 71.5 55.3
2021 70.2 56.1
2020 69.5 55.3
2019 68.6 55.7
2018 68.5 54
2017 67.7 54.4
2016 66.7 54.8
2015 66.5 53.3
2014 66.4 53.2
2013 67.5 52.3
2012 67 53
2011 65.7 52.1
2010 67.2 52
2009 66.1 53.9
2008 66 55.2
2007 66.1 53.6
2006 67.3 55.7
2005 68.9 59.4
2004 63.3 61.8
2003 61.1 59
2002 62.2 52.5
2001 62.9 48.5
2000 58.3 46
1999 59.3 42.8
1998 61.2 43.7
1997 57.9 47
1996 55.8 45.5
1995 56.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/mauritania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Malta is 68.2, ranking 49/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Malta Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
81.8%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.23%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.9B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,340
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.42B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
137/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.13B
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$36.5B
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.7%
2021
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2024
43.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/malta/mauritania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.